Put God in the center of your living (Tereza Gazhiyova)

This Jubilee year on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle Our Lady calls us to conversion. This is also a confirmation that She walks with us as a Mother of the Church. A lot of conversions have begun in Medjugorje. This is a main message of the Virgin Mary that leads us towards peace: 

  “Today I invite you to conversion. This is the most important message that I have given you here” (February 25, 1996).

“My heart is burning with love for you. The only word I want to say to the world is this: conversion, conversion. Make it known to all my children; I only ask for conversion” (April 25, 1983).

The greatest conversions happen in the confessional. This is the first step on the path of conversion.

Sometimes we witness unusual and miraculous conversions. This is just the beginning. Conversion is a  journey  but not a destination. This is a profound inner process of renunciation of sin and revealing ourselves to God and changing life for the better. We also can change. Conversion is a message of hope. Perhaps we strongly long for some supernatural intervention as it was in the case of saint Paul on his way to Damascus and we have expectations of radical changes. And we are waiting in vain  for it to happen. 

Mary teaches us patience in working on ourselves. She said in Her message (April, 25  1985):

“Today I wish to tell you to begin to work in your hearts as you are working in the fields. Work and change your hearts so that a new spirit from God can take its place in your hearts”. 

Visionary Ivan often shares his experience: “Even if I see Our Lady every day it doesn’t mean I am a saint. I haven’t converted during the night. I must also make the decision to convert every day and grow up on this path”.

This is a lifelong program. Every day the saints experienced it anew, acknowledging their weakness as well as the boundless God’s grace. Mary helps us during this journey. She calls us “to put God in the center of our living”.

Let’s analyze today what is the center of our lives. Tonight while doing an examination of conscience let’s ask ourselves: What was I most busy with ? Who or what was I focused on the most? How did I spend my time? What is my motivation?

It will become a center of our life. It can be our work, responsibilities, family, material things and our own ego. They say I am what I dream of.

Focusing on God and not getting distracted is an exercise and a constant determination to convert as well as it is a work on ourselves.

In the Sacred Scripture it is often said about the necessity of conversion. Jesus said: “Repent and believe the good news” (Mk. 1:15). When we ponder on the Gospel every day we become joyful.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1435 teaches us: “Conversion is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right, by the admission of faults to one’s brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one’s cross each day and following Jesus is the surest way of penance”.

Love for God and neighbor is a fruit of sincere conversion. It is not only just emotions but concrete actions such as forgiveness, patience and ability to listen to. The joy of giving increases. Sincere life with God is a witness which is not violent but it is a natural God’s image within us. And this is a holiness.

Let’s accept the call of the Church, Heaven’s call for conversion and use this Jubilee year of grace for our personal conversion so that the whole world may be converted thanks to our testimony.

Prayer

Mary, Our Mother, thank You for the words of hope which always elevate our gaze towards eternity. Help us to begin the way of conversion with a new resoluteness. We beg You for help to recognize what we need to leave behind and what we need to cast out from our hearts for us to be able to focus on God. Reflecting on Your example we can see concrete love, joy, hope and faith. We want to be like You are. Intercede for us. We pray with You for faithfulness on our path of holiness and for the grace of sincere conversion, for those who are still far from God. Amen